Transmedia story management systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Transmedia scheduling systems and methods are described in which a user interface is generated via a channel engine that includes first and second channels. The channels are based on one or more channel templates stored in a channel database, and are preferably populated with concurrent transmedia stories. Each of the transmedia stories can be based on at least one transmedia object stored in a transmedia database and may be dynamically generated.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/390,363, filed on Oct. 2, 2014, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.10,922,721, which claims priority to PCI International Application No.PCT/US2013/035160, filed Apr. 3, 2013, which claims the benefit ofpriority to U.S. provisional application with Ser. No. 61/619,716, filedon Apr. 3, 2012. These and all other extrinsic materials discussedherein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where adefinition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistentor contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, thedefinition of that term provided herein applies and the definition ofthat term in the reference does not apply.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is systems and methods for transmedia storymanagement.

BACKGROUND

The following background discussion includes information that may beuseful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admissionthat any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant tothe presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically orimplicitly referenced is prior art.

Consumers seek out ever more immersive media experiences. With theadvent of mobile computing, opportunities exist for integratingreal-world experiences with immersive narratives bridging across a fullspectrum of device capabilities. Rather than a consumer passivelywatching a television show or listening to an audio stream, the consumercan directly and actively engage with a narrative or story according totheir own preferences.

Interestingly, previous efforts of providing immersive narratives seekto maintain a distinction between the “real-world” and fictional worlds.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,810,021 to Paxson describes attempts atpreserving a reader's immersive experience when reading literary workson electronic devices. Therefore, Paxson seeks to maintain discreetboundaries between the real-world and functional world. Unfortunately,narratives presented according to such approaches remain static, lockedon a single device, or outside the influence of the consumer.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0029382 to Cao (publ. Feb. 2010) takesthe concept of immersive entertainment slightly further. Cao discussesmaintaining persistence of player—non-player interactions where theeffects of an interaction persist over time. Such an approach allows fora more dynamic narrative. However, Cao's approach is still locked to asingle device and fails to provide for real-world interactions with aconsumer or other users.

Ideally, a consumer should be able to interact with a narrative or storyas one would interact with the real-world, albeit through computingdevices. For example, the consumer could call a character in a story viathe character's cell phone, write a real email to a character, orotherwise actively interact with a story via real-world systems anddevices. It has yet to be appreciated that a full transmedia userexperience can be managed such that the experience can cross boundariesof media types or media devices while maintaining a synchronizedevent-triggered reality.

Thus, there is still a need for systems and methods for transmedia storymanagement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systemsand methods for a transmedia scheduling system in which one can manage apresentation of one or more channels that comprise concurrent stories.Contemplated systems can include a story database where at least onestory object can be stored, and a channel database configured to store aplurality of channel templates. A channel engine can be used to generatea user interface having first and second channels. Preferred storiesinclude transmedia stories having at least one real-world event.

In another aspect, transmedia event management systems and methods arecontemplated, where a transmedia content database is configured to storetransmedia content. A transmedia server can be coupled with thetransmedia content database and configured to construct a transmediaprogress bar having transmedia events based on at least some of thetransmedia content. The transmedia server can be further configured tocause a transmedia player to render the transmedia progress barconcurrently with the transmedia content, and instruct the transmediaplayer to modify the transmedia progress bar upon detection of acompleted transmedia event. Thus, in this manner, the transmediaprogress bar can illustrate a user's progress in real-time including anillustration of completed and incomplete transmedia events.

In yet another aspect, systems and methods configured to generate andmanage content for a transmedia story are contemplated. Preferredsystems include a content database configured to store a plurality ofraw content streams, and a content analysis engine coupled with thecontent database and configured to detect a transmedia event within araw content stream. At least one transmedia content object associatedwith the transmedia event and the raw content stream can be constructedby the content analysis engine, and a transmedia story stream can begenerated that includes the at least one transmedia content object andat least a portion of the raw content stream.

In still another aspect, systems and methods configured to facilitateuser interaction with a transmedia story are contemplated that comprisea user database configured to store user information. A story engine canbe communicatively coupled with a story database having one or morestory streams, and configured to instruct at least one user media deviceto render a story stream according to a selected level of immersion.Using a user interface generated by a registration engine, a user canselect a level of immersion for the story stream. In this manner, a usercan vary a level of immersion as desired.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth hereinshould be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, andopen-ended ranges should be interpreted to include commerciallypractical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered asinclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates thecontrary.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventivesubject matter will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanyingdrawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of a transmedia schedulingsystem.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of one embodiment of a system configured tofacilitate user interaction with a transmedia story.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of one embodiment of a transmedia event managementsystem.

FIG. 4 is a schematic of one embodiment of a system configured togenerate and manage content for a transmedia story.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be noted that while the following description is drawn to acomputer/server based transmedia management system, various alternativeconfigurations are also deemed suitable and may employ various computingdevices including servers, interfaces, systems, databases, agents,peers, engines, controllers, or other types of computing devicesoperating individually or collectively. One should appreciate thecomputing devices comprise a processor configured to execute softwareinstructions stored on a tangible, non-transitory computer readablestorage medium (e.g., hard drive, solid state drive, RAM, flash, ROM,etc.). The software instructions preferably configure the computingdevice to provide the roles, responsibilities, or other functionality asdiscussed below with respect to the disclosed apparatus. In especiallypreferred embodiments, the various servers, systems, databases, orinterfaces exchange data using standardized protocols or algorithms,possibly based on HTTP, HTTPS, AES, public-private key exchanges, webservice APIs, known financial transaction protocols, or other electronicinformation exchanging methods. Data exchanges preferably are conductedover a packet-switched network, the Internet, LAN, WAN, VPN, or othertype of packet switched network.

One should appreciate that the disclosed techniques provide manyadvantageous technical effects including automatic creation of channelsthat are populated with transmedia stories and advertising content, muchof which preferably occurs automatically.

The following discussion provides many exemplary embodiments of theinventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a singlecombination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter isconsidered to include all possible combinations of the disclosedelements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and asecond embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subjectmatter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A,B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

As used herein, it is contemplated that the term “user media device” caninclude, for example, desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablet PCs, and othercomputing devices, cell phones including smart phones, non-cellulartelephones, video game systems, books, magazines, e-readers, newspapers,kiosks, GPS units, Mp3 or other music players, televisions, vehicles,and appliances.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a transmedia scheduling system 100that includes a transmedia story database 110 configured to store atleast one story object, and a channel database 120 configured to store aplurality of channel templates.

Preferred systems include a channel engine 130 communicatively coupledto the story and channel databases 110 and 120 and configured togenerate a user interface 140 having first and second channels from thechannel templates. The first and second channels preferably compriseconcurrent transmedia story objects or stories. Exemplary embodiments oftransmedia stories are discussed in co-pending U.S. utility applicationhaving U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0233347, filed onMar. 7, 2012, titled “Transmedia User Experience Engines”, which isincorporated by reference herein. It is preferred that the channelscomprises one or more story objects from which transmedia stories can bedynamically generated for a user when requested based on one or morefactors including, for example, user preferences, user data, userlocation, user viewing history of other transmedia stories, and auser-selected immersion level.

The channel engine 130 could be configured to select one or more of thechannel templates based on a predefined metric, and generate the userinterface 140 with the first and second channels from the one or morechannel templates. Each of the channels could include one or moretransmedia story objects or a collection of related transmedia storyobjects, such as those having overlapping characters, the same genre,same owner, same licensee, and so forth. The at least one transmediastory object or collection of related transmedia story objects can bereceived from the story database 110. Thus, for example, transmediastory objects could be scheduled and presented much like a televisionshow where chapters (episodes) are available at one or more timeslotseach week or other period of time.

The channel engine 130 can be further configured to schedule one or moretransmedia story objects in each of the first and second channels as afunction of a time, for example. However, it is also contemplated thatthe story objects could be scheduled as a function of a user'spreferences, a user's location, a time, a date, a user viewing history,user data, and so forth. Still further, the transmedia story objectscould be scheduled in a playlist that is created by the user ordynamically generated by the channel engine, for example. In suchembodiments, it is contemplated that the playlist could be generatedbased at least in part upon a user's preferences, time, date, and/or auser's location. Alternatively, one or more of the story objects of achannel could be accessed in an on-demand manner by a user.

The channels preferably each include content injection points and storyinjection points, which in some embodiments may be dynamically populatedwith transmedia story objects from the story database 110 andadvertising or other paid content from an advertising database or otherlocation, for example.

The transmedia scheduling system 100 can further include an advertisingengine 150 that injects the advertising content within at least one ofthe first and second channels to thereby monetize the channels. Suchadvertising content could be injected between the transmedia storyobjects (e.g., a commercial break) or within a story object (e.g.,product placement, use of green screens, etc.). In preferredembodiments, the advertising content can be dynamically injected intothe channels based on at least one of the following: date, time, userlocation, user preferences, other user data, viewing history of the userincluding advertising content previously watched or skipped, socialnetwork data of the user including user opinions of companies (e.g.,Facebook™ likes, etc.)

Preferred advertising content comprises transmedia content such as aninteractive event, although any commercial content could be usedincluding, for example, a commercial, a coupon, a map, a barcode, atelephone number, an email address, and a location photo. It isespecially preferred that the interactive content comprises at least twotypes of media interactions including, for example, printing, faxing,texting, messaging, playing audio or video, making a phone call,emailing, receiving a voice mail, controlling a device, visiting awebsite, and changing a channel.

The channel engine 130 can advantageously be configured to identify thecontent injection points on the first and second channels, where contentsuch as advertising or other commercial content can be injected. Thechannel engine can be further configured to identify the actual contentto be injected at the identified content injection points, which may bebased on one or more of the factors described above. Preferably, theinjected content at a content injection point can be different fromcontent injected at other content injection points especially that ofneighboring points. The selected content could be chosen based on one ormore factors including, for example, a user profile, a user location, atime, a date, a story object of the channel, user preferences, a usermedia device, previously viewed or skipped content, and so forth.

It is further contemplated that the channel engine 130 could be furtherconfigured to identify story injection points of a channel, and mayidentify the transmedia story objects to be injected into such injectionpoints.

The at least one transmedia story object of the story database 110 cancomprise various media, and preferably comprises an interactive game. Itis especially preferred that the interactive game includes transmediacontent or events, which can be used to increase a user's immersionwithin the game.

The user interface 140 preferably includes a transmedia player. It iscurrently preferred that the transmedia player uses HTML5, althoughFlash™, Java™, or any other commercially suitable codec or platformcould be used. The transmedia player can be disposed on a user mediadevice by way of a web browser, app or software, for example. By way ofillustration, contemplated user media devices include, for example, adesktop computer, a laptop, a netbook, a tablet PC, or other portablecomputer, a cell phone, a non-cellular telephone, a video game system, abook, a magazine, an e-reader, a newspaper, a kiosk, a GPS unit, atelevision, a vehicle, and an appliance.

Using the user interface 140, it is contemplated that a user couldbrowse at least one of the first and second channels to select one ormore story objects. It is further contemplated that the user interface140 could be configured to allow the user to subscribe to at least oneof the channels, such that content could be automatically pushed orotherwise transmitted to one or more user media devices.

The system 100 can further include a channel management interface 160that allows a manager to manage at least one of the channels.Preferably, such interface 160 is configured to restrict access to thechannels to only those authorized managers. Thus, for example, a managercould only have access to those channels owned or produced by themanager or an affiliated company, and would not have access tocompetitors' channels. Any authentication processes or standards couldbe used including, for example, passwords, e-certificates, and so forth.

The channel management interface 160 can advantageously allow a managerto schedule channel content including one or more story objects on atleast one of the channels. In some embodiments, the manager could alsodefine content injection points using the management interface. This mayoccur prior to or after launch/creation of a channel.

In addition, advertisers could utilize the channel management interface160 to bid or otherwise purchase advertising space for at least one ofthe content injection points. Of course, rather than bid for specificcontent injection points, it is also contemplated that advertisers couldbid for advertising space that matches predefined criteria of theadvertiser, such as user demographics, geographical areas, time, days,and so forth.

As an example, the channels could be generated on the user interfacebased on a user location. The location could be as specific as a user'sIP address or postal code, but more likely will be based on a largergeographical area such as a city or county in the U.S. It iscontemplated that each of the channels could include a set of transmediastory objects along with paid advertising contents or slots that can bedynamically filled with advertising or other paid content. Such contentcould be selected by an advertising engine or other component of system100 based on one or more factors, which could include advertiser or userpreferences, user location, viewing history including content andadvertising viewing or skipping, and so forth.

From a story object in the channel, a transmedia story could begenerated based on one or more of the factors described above, and canpreferably be viewed on one or more of the user's media devices.

In still other aspects, systems are contemplated that can be configuredto facilitate user interaction with a transmedia story. An exemplarysystem 200 is shown in FIG. 2 . Such systems can include a user database210 where user information can be stored, and a story engine 220communicatively coupled with a story database 225 having one or morestory streams.

A registration engine 230 can be coupled with the story engine 220, andconfigured to generate a user interface 240 that allows a user to selecta level of immersion for at least one story stream. Preferred levels ofimmersion include multiple dimensions of immersion. However, it is alsocontemplated that the level of immersion could comprise a substantiallycontinuous level of immersion (e.g., volume). Alternatively, theregistration engine 230 could automatically select a level of immersionof the user according at least in part to a user preference. The storyengine 220 can then instruct at least one user media device associatedwith the user to render at least one story stream according to theselected level of immersion. As an example, it is contemplated that thelevels of immersion can vary along a gradient, such as from a lightversion having little or no user immersion where all of the events in astory are presented through a single user media device to a fullyimmersed version where at least two user media devices of the user couldbe used in a synchronized manner to more deeply immerse the user in thestory. The more immersed versions can preferably include at least twotypes of media interactions including, for example, printing, faxing,texting, messaging, playing audio or video, making a phone call,emailing, receiving a voice mail, controlling a device, visiting awebsite, and changing a channel.

In some contemplated embodiments, the user can select a desired level ofimmersion by selecting one or more user media devices approved for useby the story engine 220. It is contemplated that the users could changeor vary their immersion level over time, as desired, such as by addingor changing the user media devices permitted to be used by system 200.Alternatively or additionally, the registration engine 230 can beconfigured to detect at least one of a device class and a model of auser media device associated with the user. A list of the detected usermedia devices can then be populated for the user, or automaticallyselected to be used, as desired. It is contemplated that theregistration engine 230 could also detect changes to the media devicesassociated with the user over time and vary a user's level of immersionaccordingly. It is further contemplated that the registration engine 230could adjust the user's level of immersion based at least in part on thedevice class or model of the user media device. This is important asdifferent user media devices will likely have different capabilities andlimitations, which can thus be identified and accounted for by theregistration engine 230.

For example, if a user is associated with two user media devices, alaptop computer and a landline phone, the registration engine 230 coulddetermine that any text messages in a story should be presented on thelaptop computer as the user's landline is likely unable to receive suchmessages.

In further contemplated embodiments, the registration engine 230 couldbe configured to be contextually aware, such by detecting otherinformation about a user. Such additional information could include, forexample, a user's location, movement of a user, system information aboutassociated user media devices (e.g., operating system, devicecomponents, ability to connect to cell network, etc.), time, day of theweek, date, a length of time a user has interacted with the systemcontinuously, and a user's internet access and bandwidth. Theregistration engine 230 could then adjust the user's level of immersionbased at least in part on such information. For example, theregistration engine 230 could adjust a user's level of immersion suchthat the user's level of immersion is reduced while the user is at workas compared with a user's level of immersion at home.

It is further contemplated that the level of immersion could be based ona device class selection, a device model selection, a media type, and aslider bar, for example.

It is especially preferred that the story engine 220 can be configuredto alter at least one story stream as a function of the user's selectedlevel of immersion. This ensures that the user will experience aseamless presentation of the story stream regardless of the selectedlevel of immersion. In addition, such aspects allow the story engine todynamically alter the at least one story stream to account for dynamicchanges to a user's level of immersion over time.

The system 200 could also be configured to prompt the user to change theuser's immersion level while the user is interacting with a story. Thus,for example, a user could be watching a character receive a text messageand be prompted to enter the user's telephone number such that the usercould receive the text message directly to the user's phone.

In other aspects, a transmedia event management system 300 iscontemplated, which includes a transmedia content database 310 storing aplurality of transmedia content. One embodiment of a transmedia eventmanagement system 300 is shown in FIG. 3 . Contemplated transmediacontent can include, for example, a coupon, a map, a barcode, atelephone number, an email address, and a location photo.

The system can further include a transmedia server 320 coupled with thetransmedia content database 310. The transmedia server 320 preferably iscapable of constructing a transmedia progress bar having transmediaevents, and that is based on at least some of the transmedia content.The transmedia events preferably comprise at least two types of mediainteractions including, for example, printing, faxing, texting,messaging, playing audio or video, making a phone call, emailing,receiving a voice mail, controlling a device, visiting a website, andchanging a channel.

Preferred transmedia events can comprise an immersion level orachievement objects such as a trophy, a badge, a collectible, acurrency, and an inventory object. It is contemplated that theachievement objects can be used to unlock additional content, whethervirtual or associated with real-world items, people, or locations. Thus,for example, an achievement object could be used to unlock an additionalchapter in a story, but may also be used to encourage the user to takesome action in the real world including, for example, visiting a websiteor physical location, making a purchase, listening to a song, attendingan event, and so forth. As another example, an achievement object couldinclude a coupon that both provides a discount to a user for a productand when used unlocks additional content or inventory in a story.

Contemplated collectibles include inventory items, which could bepresented to the user upon completion of some event, whether completinga chapter of a story, watching a portion of a story, or taking someother action. It is contemplated that a user could share or trade one ormore of the collectibles with other users as desired. In othercontemplated embodiments, a user could post the collectibles on a socialmedia profile, for example. It is further contemplated that thecollectibles could comprise or be associated with real-world items suchas a coupon, directions, and so forth. The use of inventory itemsassociated with real-world items is further described in co-pending U.S.utility application having U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2013/0346452, filed on Sep. 13, 2012.

The system 300 could further connect to a social media website orprofile of the user, and post or other link a user's progress in a storyto a social media timeline.

The transmedia server 320 can configure a transmedia player 330 torender the transmedia progress bar concurrently with the transmediacontent, such that the progress bar can be updated in real-time as auser interacts with the transmedia content. In this manner, thetransmedia progress bar can be used to indicate to a user the user'sprogress within a story, for example. Such progress could include achapter location, completed transmedia events, incomplete transmediaevents, future transmedia events, past transmedia events, and otherdesirable features.

It is especially preferred that the transmedia player 330 could beconfigured to modify the transmedia progress bar upon detection of acompleted transmedia event. Thus, for example, when a user completes atransmedia event, additional content could be unlocked and/or thecompletion of the event could be indicated in the progress bar.

In preferred embodiments, at least one user media device can beconfigured to display the transmedia progress bar concurrently with thestory. In such embodiments, it is contemplated that the progress barcould be displayed on the same user media device or a different usermedia device than the story. As an example, a user could interact with astory on a laptop computer while the user's cell phone or tablet PCdisplays the transmedia progress bar showing the user's progress withinthe story.

It is further contemplated that the transmedia progress bar could beused to provide a quick reference point for a user where the user canview the events that the user completed and did not complete. Thisoverview could be provided at the end of a story, at the end of astory's chapter, concurrently with the story content, or at any otherdesired point. The user could be given an opportunity to revisit theportions of the story and complete those events. For example, if a userselected to be presented with a light version of a story, the user couldlater modify the user's level of immersion such that the user couldincrease the amount of achievements and/or completed events.

The system 300 can also include a paid content server 340 coupled withthe transmedia server 320, and configured to inject paid content withinthe transmedia events in exchange for a fee. The paid content preferablycomprises at least one of the following: a promotion, a coupon, acollectible, an inventory object, and a currency, and especiallyincludes paid transmedia content. Using the above examples, a businessmight pay for a transmedia event that requires a user to visit themerchant's website or physical store location to complete the event. Themerchant or other advertiser might pay to inject the paid content on asubscription basis, pay-per-use basis, or any other commerciallysuitable basis.

In still other aspects, systems are contemplated that are configured togenerate and manage content for a transmedia story, and one embodimentof such a system 400 is shown in FIG. 4 . Such systems can include acontent database 410 having a plurality of raw content streams, whichpreferably include a video stream having audio and video components, butcould also include, for example, an audio stream, text, images, andcontent injection points. The raw content streams can include, forexample, professional content, paid content, third-party content, anduser-submitted content. In some embodiments, the third-party contentcould include content from a social media profile such as a timeline orother information. The user-created content could be content uploaded bya user or content created from a user's interaction with a transmediastory (e.g., a telephone call recording, a text, email or other message,a photograph, etc.).

A content analysis engine 420 can be coupled to the content database410, and configured to detect one or more transmedia events within a rawcontent stream. The content analysis engine can then be used toconstruct at least one transmedia content object associated with the oneor more transmedia events and the raw content stream. A transmedia storystream can then be generated that includes the at least one transmediacontent object and at least a portion of the raw content stream.Preferred transmedia story streams comprise achievement objectsincluding, for example, at least one of a trophy, a badge, acollectible, a currency, and an inventory object.

Thus, the system 400 can be configured to automatically identify contentand then determine how and where to deliver that content based at leastin part on information associated with the content. For example, a usercould place a phone call as part of the user's interaction with atransmedia story, and all or some of the user's discussion could beparsed as content for a portion of the transmedia story, or anothertransmedia story entirely. The system 400 could be configured torecognize the audio as a conversation and associate one or more tagswith the audio, and store the audio for later retrieval.

As another example, the system 400 could receive an email sent by theuser to a character in the transmedia story and save all or a portion ofthe email message for later use. Again, it is contemplated that thesystem could associate one or more tags with the message for quickretrieval. Such tags may identify the user, the content of the message,an associated event in the story that required generation of thecontent, and so forth. All or part of the message could be used later inthe transmedia story, such as by having the character read or respond tothe user's message. In this manner, a user interacts with the game onanother dimension, allowing the user to feel he or she is interactingwith a character in the transmedia story.

In another example, a transmedia event in the transmedia story mightrequire a user to take a picture of an outdoor location and submit it tothe character in the transmedia story. The content analysis engine couldreceive the picture, and analyze the image using known image recognitiontechniques and geographical location information associated with theimage to determine where the image was taken and whether there are anymarkers of value in the image. After analyzing the image, the contentanalysis engine might determine that the image should be delivered to acell phone of the user but with an overlay that provides a clue to theuser to unlock a next chapter in the transmedia story.

Still further, the raw content stream could comprise a videorepresenting a series of character interactions in a transmedia story.The video could then be parsed to identify transmedia events, which arepreferably delivered separately from the main video stream. As anexample, in the video, a character may receive a telephone call fromanother character. Some or all of the conversation could be selected asa transmedia event, and converted into a transmedia story streamseparate from the video stream, which could then be sent to a user'sphone as a phone call at a predefined point in the transmedia story.

It is further contemplated that the content analysis engine 420 can beconfigured to modify the transmedia story stream according to a userpreference.

In further contemplated embodiments, some or all of the above systemscould include a content engine configured to extract or gather contentfrom one or more social media profiles associated with a user. As anexample, the content engine could access a user's Facebook™ profile andgather information about the user including likes, dislikes, location,social connections, status updates, subscriptions, travels, photos, andso forth. Other social media profiles include, for example, blogs, newsarticles, and public directories. This information could then be used todirectly or indirectly affect paid or unpaid content within a transmediastory stream.

In a simplistic example, a user's profile picture from a social mediaprofile associated with the user could directly affect story content bybeing inserted into a portion of the story by the content engine orother system component. However, content could also be varied in a moresubtle manner, where, for example, a portion of a transmedia storystream could have music playing in the background that is chosen basedon the user's taste. Thus, if a user likes or has attended a concert ofa specific artist, that artist's music could be selected to be played.In this manner, a user could be further immersed in the story byincreasing his or her comfort level.

In a similar fashion, content from a social media profile could be usedto indirectly affect content of a transmedia story stream. In oneexample, advertising or other commercial information could be selectedand delivered to a user media device based at least in part on thecontent gathered from the user's social media profile. Continuing withthe musician example, if a user is determined to enjoy a specific genreof music, an advertisement about a new band in that genre could bedisplayed to the user. Alternatively, if a user “likes” a specificbrand, advertisements for that brand or competing brands may bedisplayed to the user.

It is further contemplated that a transmedia story stream could befurther customized based on the user media device where the content willbe played, or the types or models of user media devices associated witha user. For example, if the system detects that a user is using anApple™ operating system, an advertisement or other content could beadjusted to present content more likely to appeal to the user.

In other examples, the system could utilize user characteristics (e.g.,profile information of a user), a user location, a time, a date, a typeof user media device of the user, and so forth. Thus, for example, avideo could be played where a television is playing in the background,and the advertisement played on the television is dynamically chosenbased on at least one of the user characteristics and the user mediadevice associated with the user.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the descriptionherein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise.

The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve asa shorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respectto certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminatethe invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of theinvention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should beconstrued as indicating any non-claimed element essential to thepractice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each groupmember can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combinationwith other members of the group or other elements found herein. One ormore members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group forreasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion ordeletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the groupas modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markushgroups used in the appended claims.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term“coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which twoelements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirectcoupling (in which at least one additional element is located betweenthe two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with”are used synonymously.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many moremodifications besides those already described are possible withoutdeparting from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subjectmatter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of theappended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification andthe claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possiblemanner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises”and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements,components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that thereferenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized,or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are notexpressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at leastone of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . andN, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from thegroup, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computer-based method of interacting withinteractive content, the method comprising: associating a plurality ofreal-world locations with respective virtual inventory items; detecting,via a media device, contextual information of a user, wherein thecontextual information includes at least a geographic location of theuser; presenting first interactive content to the user via the mediadevice, the first interactive content comprising at least audio andvideo content; detecting, via a content analysis engine that is coupledwith the media device, a media event based on at least the geographiclocation of the user within the contextual information, wherein themedia event comprises collection of an achievement object correspondingto one of the virtual inventory items into an inventory of the user inresponse to the geographic location of the user being within a proximityof a real-world location that is associated with the virtual inventoryitem; unlocking, via a media server that is coupled with the contentanalysis engine, additional interactive content based on the collectionof the achievement object into the inventory of the user; andpresenting, via the media device, the unlocked additional interactivecontent to the user, said presenting the unlocked additional interactivecontent comprising dynamically injecting the unlocked additionalinteractive content within the first interactive content based on atleast the geographic location of the user.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the achievement object comprises at least one of the following:a discount, a coupon, a trophy, and a currency.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein the media event represents a completion of an event.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the unlocked additional interactive contentcomprises an advertisement.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theunlocked additional interactive content is part of an interactive game.6. The method of claim 1, further comprising trading, via the mediadevice, the achievement object with another user.
 7. The method of claim1, further comprising sharing, via the media device, the achievementobject with another user.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprisingconnecting, via the media device, to a social media web site to post theachievement object.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprisingupdating a timeline on the social media web site with respect toprogress associated with the achievement object.
 10. The method of claim1, wherein the achievement object is associated with a real-world item.11. The method of claim 1, wherein the contextual information furtherincludes at least one of the following types of additional contextualinformation: a movement of the user, system information about the mediadevice, a date, a time, and a length of time; and wherein the mediaevent is detected based on the additional contextual information. 12.The method of claim 1, wherein the geographical location comprises atleast one of the following: a postal code, an IP address, a city, acounty, a geographical area, and a physical store location.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the media event comprises a transmedia event.14. The method of claim 13, wherein the transmedia event comprises atleast two types of media interactions.
 15. The method of claim 1,further comprising modifying a media progress bar on the media device.16. The method of claim 15, further comprising indicating completion ofthe media event via the media progress bar.
 17. The method of claim 1,wherein the media event comprises paid content.
 18. The method of claim17, wherein the paid content comprises the achievement object.
 19. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the paid content comprises at least one ofthe following: an advertisement, a coupon, subscription content,pay-per-use content, an inventory object, and a currency.
 20. Anon-transitory computer readable storage medium on which are storedsoftware instructions executable by a processor to perform operationscomprising: associating a plurality of real-world locations withrespective virtual inventory items; detecting, via a media device,contextual information of a user, wherein the contextual informationincludes at least a geographic location of the user; presenting firstinteractive content to the user via the media device, the firstinteractive content comprising at least audio and video content;detecting, via a content analysis engine that is coupled with the mediadevice, a media event based on at least the geographic location of theuser within the contextual information, wherein the media eventcomprises collection of an achievement object corresponding to one ofthe virtual inventory items into an inventory of the user in response tothe geographic location of the user being within a proximity of areal-world location that is associated with the virtual inventory item;unlocking, via a media server that is coupled with the content analysisengine, additional interactive content based on the collection of theachievement object into the inventory of the user; and presenting, viathe media device, the unlocked additional interactive content to theuser, said presenting the unlocked additional interactive contentcomprising dynamically injecting the unlocked additional interactivecontent within the first interactive content based on at least thegeographic location of the user.
 21. A computer-based apparatus forinteracting with interactive content, comprising: a processor; and anon-transitory computer readable storage medium on which are storedsoftware instructions executable by a processor to perform operationscomprising: associating a plurality of real-world locations withrespective virtual inventory items; detecting, via a media device,contextual information of a user, wherein the contextual informationincludes at least a geographic location of the user; presenting firstinteractive content to the user via the media device, the firstinteractive content comprising at least audio and video content;detecting, via a content analysis engine that is coupled with the mediadevice, a media event based on at least the geographic location of theuser within the contextual information, wherein the media eventcomprises collection of an achievement object corresponding to one ofthe virtual inventory items into an inventory of the user in response tothe geographic location of the user being within a proximity of areal-world location that is associated with the virtual inventory item;unlocking, via a media server that is coupled with the content analysisengine, additional interactive content based on the collection of theachievement object into the inventory of the user; and presenting, viathe media device, the unlocked additional interactive content to theuser, said presenting the unlocked additional interactive contentcomprising dynamically injecting the unlocked additional interactivecontent within the first interactive content based on at least thegeographic location of the user.